Random image selection without viewing duplication

Abstract

Particular embodiments generally relate to randomly displaying images on a display device. In one embodiment, a list of images for display on a display device, such as a digital picture frame or television, is determined. The display device is configured to display different images in a sequential order (such as one after another). A random display method may be determined. An image in the list of images is then randomly selected based on the random display method. For example, images are randomly selected such that all images in a list of images are displayed once without duplicative display of an image.

1. A method comprising:
 (a) determining a list of images for display on a display device, wherein the display device is configured to display images in an order in a round, the round being a display of a number of images equal to a number of images in the list; 
 (b) determining a first random display method to use to select an image to display on the display device, wherein the first random display method is selected from a plurality of random display methods; 
 (c) randomly selecting an image from the list of images based on the determined random display method; 
 (d) displaying the image on the display device; 
 (e) determining a second random display method in the plurality of random display methods if a predetermined threshold of displayed images has been reached, wherein the second random display method replaces the first random display method as the determined random display method; and 
 (f) performing (c)-(e) until all images from the list of images have been displayed in the round, wherein the first and second random display methods are used to ensure display of all images in the list of images once without displaying a duplicative image in the round. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined threshold comprises a predetermined number of images that have already been displayed on the display device for the round. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 switching from the first random display method to the second random display method in the plurality of display methods; 
 randomly selecting an image from the list of images based on the second random display method; and 
 displaying the image on the display device, wherein the second random display method is used until all remaining images in the round are displayed. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first random display method is used again to start a new round of display of the number of images. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the randomly selecting comprises:
 (g) assigning a list of identifiers for the list of images in a data structure; 
 (h) randomly selecting an identifier from the list of identifiers; 
 (i) determining if the selected identifier is found in the data structure; 
 (j) if the selected identifier is found in the data structure, performing:
 determining an image corresponding to the selected identifier; 
 displaying the image; and 
 removing the image from the list of images; 
 
 (k) if the selected identifier is not found in the data structure, not displaying image corresponding to the selected identifier; and 
 (l) performing (g)-(k) until all images from the list of images have been displayed. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising reinitializing the list of identifiers in the data structure and redisplaying the list of images in a new round. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising removing the selected identifier in the data structure when the corresponding image is displayed. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising moving the selected identifier to a second data structure. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 5 , wherein randomly selecting the identifier from the list of identifiers is performed using the list of identifiers after the selected identifier has been removed from the data structure. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 5 , wherein randomly selecting is performed using a random number generator that selects a random identifier in the list of identifiers. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein randomly selecting comprises:
 mixing the list of images randomly; and 
 sequentially selecting identifiers from the mixed list of images for display. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first random display method comprises randomly selecting an image, and wherein the second random display method comprises randomly mixing remaining images and then sequentially selecting from among the mixed remaining images. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus comprising:
 one or more computer processors; and 
 logic encoded in one or more tangible media for execution by the one or more computer processors, and when executed being operable to:
 (a) determine a list of images for display on the apparatus, wherein the apparatus is configured to display images in an order in a round, the round being a display of a number of images equal to a number of images in the list; 
 (b) determine a first random display method to use to select an image to display on the apparatus, wherein the first random display method is selected from a plurality of random display methods; 
 (c) randomly select, using the one or more computer processors, an image from the list of images based on the determined random display method; 
 (d) display the image on the apparatus; 
 (e) determine a second random display method in the plurality of random display methods if a predetermined threshold of displayed images has been reached, wherein the second random display method replaces the first random display method as the determined random display method; and 
 (f) perform (c)-(e) until all images from the list of images have been displayed in the round, wherein the first and second random display methods are used to ensure display of all images in the list of images once without displaying a duplicative image in the round. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined threshold comprises a predetermined number of images that have already been displayed on the apparatus for the round. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the logic when executed is further operable to:
 switch from the first random display method to the second random display method in the plurality of display methods; 
 randomly select an image from the list of images based on the second random display method; and 
 display the image on the apparatus, wherein the second random display method is used until all remaining images in the round are displayed. 
 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the logic operable to randomly select comprises logic operable to:
 (g) assign a list of identifiers for the list of images in a data structure; 
 (h) randomly select an identifier from the list of identifiers; 
 (i) determine if the selected identifier is found in the data structure; 
 (j) if the selected identifier is found in the data structure, perform:
 determine an image corresponding to the selected identifier; 
 display the image; and 
 remove the image from the list of images; 
 
 (k) if the selected identifier is not found in the data structure, not display image corresponding to the selected identifier; and 
 (l) perform (g)-(k) until all images from the list of images have been displayed. 
 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the logic when executed is further operable to reinitialize the list of identifiers in the data structure and redisplaying the list of images in a new round. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein logic operable to randomly select the identifier from the list of identifiers is performed using the list of identifiers after the selected identifier has been removed from the data structure. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein logic operable to randomly select comprises logic when executed further operable to:
 mix the list of images randomly; and 
 sequentially select identifiers from the mixed list of images for display. 
 
     
     
       20. A non-transitory storage device including instructions executable by a processor for:
 (a) determining a list of images for display on a display device, wherein the display device is configured to display images in an order in a round, the round being a display of a number of images equal to a number of images in the list; 
 (b) determining a first random display method to use to select an image to display on the display device, wherein the first random display method is selected from a plurality of random display methods; 
 (c) randomly selecting an image from the list of images based on the determined random display method; 
 (d) displaying the image on the display device; 
 (e) determining a second random display method in the plurality of random display methods if a predetermined threshold of displayed images has been reached, wherein the second random display method replaces the first random display method as the determined random display method; and 
 (f) performing (c)-(e) until all images from the list of images have been displayed in the round, wherein the first and second random display methods are used to ensure display of all images in the list of images once without displaying a duplicative image in the round.